A number of prominent Landscape Architecture practices have submitted proposals for the design of public space to be created as part of the Paradise Circus project which will transform 17 acres in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
This imminent appointment of a landscape architect is just the latest step in the exciting renaissance of Paradise Circus that gained outline planning approval over a year ago and is due to start on site later this year.
The four short-listed practices are: Gillespies, Grant Associates, Gustafson Porter and GROSS.MAX.
All have extensive experience of working on similar projects throughout the UK and each practice has been issued with a comprehensive brief containing the exacting requirements and constraints for the site. They have submitted detailed proposals with graphics and illustrations and the appointed architect will be announced by David Partridge, Managing Partner of Argent, on the Birmingham stand at MIPIM – the world’s largest real estate show – on Thursday 13th March.
David Partridge is very pleased to have reached this stage in the development: “Having spent many years working on the plans and proposals for Paradise Circus, it is particularly gratifying to be so close to seeing the actual start of work on site.
“With the collection of world class listed buildings surrounding the site and its location in the Civic Heart of the city centre, we simply have to get the public spaces right. The selection of a landscape architect is a very important step as we have always held the strong belief that the public realm is an absolutely vital part of any successful development.”
The competition has seen the four practices produce designs for the public open space using a variety of materials, planting and landscape features to bring the new mixed use development and the adjacent historic buildings together in an attractive, practical yet sympathetic way.
To help inform the brief for the landscape architecture, a design ‘charrette’ was held late last year in conjunction with Architects’ Journal. Six teams of architects, landscape architects and artists were invited to visit the site, tour the city and spend a day producing fresh ideas on how the development could look. This was followed by a critique from which a number of ideas have been used in the landscape architecture brief.
The transformation of Paradise Circus is being taken forward through a Joint Venture Company between Birmingham City Council and BT Pension Scheme (BTPS), managed by Hermes Real Estate Investment Management Limited (HREIML). Argent is managing the design and delivery of the site works on behalf of the Joint Venture Company as well as being the Development Manager for BTPS for the commercial buildings.
A website showcasing the proposals for Paradise Circus can be viewed at www.paradisecircus.co.uk.
